High School Branch Program
Financial education is one of VyStar’s most important philanthropic initiatives, and we believe that it’s critical to begin that education early in life. By teaching young people the importance of saving, good credit and sound money management, we can set them up for future success. That’s why we give local high school students the opportunity to learn financial basics through our VyStar Academy of Business High School Branch Program.
VyStar works with local school districts to provide high school students with hands-on, real-world experience that cannot be taught in the classroom. The day-to-day operations of our high school branches are managed by a team of students under the supervision of their school’s career academy instructors.
Learning New Professional and Life Skills
Students who participate get to experience the inner workings of key financial services like loans, credit cards, budgets and investment accounts. They learn marketable skills that help them in the workforce, and many participants have gone on to work for VyStar after graduating.
Participants learn how to use credit effectively and responsibly, as well as how to save and invest money. They also serve as mentors to their peers, sharing the important lessons they learn about money management. No matter what career paths they choose, the skills they build through the program remain with them throughout their lives.
An Award-Winning Program
Our VyStar Academy of Business High School Branch Program was recognized in February 2020 as the number one program in the nation for our asset size, and we were awarded the prestigious Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).
The History and Future of the Program
VyStar introduced this program in 2006. Since then, we’ve provided over 2,200 paid internships and delivered financial education training to over 154,000 high school students throughout Northeast Florida. As of 2024, there are 19 high school branches in eight different school districts. Our goal is to continue expanding the program with school partners throughout the communities we serve.
In 2022, VyStar launched its High School Debit Card Give Back Program, which provides financial support to the 19 area high schools with VyStar branches when participating members complete financial transactions.
Each high school involved in the VyStar Academy of Business high School Branch Program has a unique co-branded debit card that features the school logo and is available to anyone with a VyStar personal checking account Through the Give Back Program, VyStar will donate 5 cents to the corresponding school for every purchase made with that school's debit card. Donations will be up to $10,000 per year for each school.
Our High School Branches
We have branches at the following high schools throughout Northeast Florida:
Bartram Trail High School
Fleming Island High School
Pedro Menendez High School
Wolfson High School
Ribault High School
Orange Park High School
West Nassau High School
Middleburg High School
First Coast High School
Palatka High School
Matanzas High School
Fletcher High School
Mandarin High School
Yulee High School
Fernandina Beach High School
Clay High School
Bradford High School
Belleview High School
Riverside High School